Reading Business Park: a Bronze Age Landscape Thames Valley Landscapes: the Kennet Valley, Volume 1

Abstract

Phase 1 of extensive excavations of a development site SW of Reading has located Neolithic, late Bronze Age and Roman settlement and activity. The Neolithic activity is characterised by pits, postholes and flintwork, with a notable absence of pottery. The specialised forms of artefacts point to resource-specific activity rather than 'normal' domestic activity. A cattle burial was found, a type of feature common on ceremonial sites. Two of the four known LBA settlement foci were excavated, revealing the largest number of LBA roundhouses so far discovered in the S of England. Semi-circular segmented buildings, four and six post structures and two post supports were also found. Area 3100 showed a high degree of organisation, with paired houses apparently lineally arranged, a large open space and an activity/storage area. A line of flax retting pits flanked a trackway. Extensive associated field systems have also been partially examined. Reference to further archaeological investigations in the area is made in the discussion section. This work is beginning to demonstrate the density of LBA sites in the Kennet Valley. For the Roman period the lst-century enclosures were partially examined, although the principal areas of occupation were not uncovered. Other features of 2nd- to 4th-century date were part of enclosures and linear boundaries which are probably field systems and peripheral activities associated with a site known to exist c 300 m to the W.